“That’s a pretty dog!” I shouted across the road to a woman in a reflective safety vest. On our residential street, you’re taking your life into your hands trying to walk your dog, and I am SO not joking. I was taking my Toter can out to the curb. We made small talk about our dogs, then she told me she’d seen a coyote on the next road over. We’re in a ‘hood off High Ridge. So folks, coyotes are on the prowl.
Today’s News 12 Website has an article about coyotes. It doesn’t tell you much more than I can. It mentions to watch your small pets, but anyone who heard about Kathie Lee Gifford’s bichon frise knew that. Her little dog was killed in her Greenwich backyard in 2003.
Around the time of the KLG incident, I was driving on Shore Rd. in Greenwich on my way home to my Southfield ‘hood. I saw a large yellow dog trotting down the sidewalk. How cute! I thought. A dog using the sidewalk! I passed him, then tilted my head in puzzlement— was that a coyote? Yup. Trotting as if he were out for a jog, totally civilized, on the sidewalk. That’s one cool coyote.
The News 12 article DOES have one tip I forgot about: Keep your eye on your "younger" children.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Ahoooooooooooooo: Coyotes in Stamford
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11 comments:
Our neighbors small dog was killed over Christmas in North Stamford. Traps have been set.
Wow, that's terrible; I have a dog, and I know that dogs can be like family members. But are traps allowed? I assume you have to find a licensed trapper. What happens after you catch the coyote?
Uh, yeah, thanks alot to News12! Did you see the story? They mention coyotes in some Stamford neighborhoods, but hey, guess what? They neglected to say which ones! Duh! Huge Duh!
How about the skinny on whereabouts!
I think Coyotes can really only be found in North Stamford where there is enough wooded areas. The trappers are licensed and kill the Coyotes once they are trapped. I hear them howling all the time at night.
From the Mass. Dept. of Fish and Game: "Once a coyote has established itself into an area, it will actively maintain a territory that may vary in size from 2 to 30 square miles. One family of coyotes often encompasses one or more residential suburban areas or towns." So I guess it's enough to know they are in Stamford. I'd assume that any neighborhood that regularly hosts deer, wild turkeys and the like could easily harbor coyotes.
We're in mid-Ridges, Belltown, and my neighbor saw a coyote, so they're definitely south of the Merritt. I can't imagine coyotes howling at night, though! I understand wanting to trap them, but I don't see why they have to be killed. Can't they be released somewhere?
And then there's that wildlife preserve just around the corner from pepper ridge road! Whoa! I'm so scared now I'm not sure I want to go walking again before dawn ... good excuse, right?
Nah, the News12 article said they don't bother people. My sis told me a funny story: she was jogging around a track (in Texas), and a dog ran by. "Hi doggie!" she said. Later she heard there was a coyote in the area who liked to frequent the track. Seems like the doggies- I mean, coyotes- like people, but want to kill our pets.
I saw one about 2 months ago late at night on my way back home. We live by bulls head. I knew it was not a dog because of its pointy ears. I told my wife and she told me I was going crazy, I was imagining things. Then we saw an article in the advocate.
I am glad that coyotes are (and have been for quite a few years now) in Fairfield County. They are an important part of wildlife. Please don't trap them: It is cruel, and unnecessary. There is no reason to fear them, and they have every right to be here. Coyotes will not harm adults. But be sure to supervise your young children and dogs... But this should be done anyway, whether there are coyotes in your area or not! Please don't let your cats outdoors, as they are a target for coyotes and hawks (as well as being susceptible to nasty people, and being hit by cars).
Frankly, I was annoyed that News12 made such a big deal about a commonly seen animal that is non-threatening, as long as humans are responsible about minding their children & dogs.
Coyotes have moved into the state since the 1950's. The Coyote is a Mexican desert dog that has moved westward and has infiltrated every state since the 1800's. Therefore, it was NOT here first and is doing damage...mostly to pets. Control of their #s is reasonable.Not elimination, # control
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